The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-05
What man, mammap''

Lin. "
Maud took the telegram, which was
from her married sister, living some
fifty miles distont. This was what il
contained:
Have Just learned from the nurse.
maid of suspicious stranger making her
acquaintance. Asked all about the
Willows and number of inmates.
Seemed to know something of Tom.
Tall, dark, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, and
has scar on one cheek. Look out for
him."
HAS n scar on one chcek!' echoed
Maud. family, after an instant's blank
silence.
"Oh, Maud. what shall we do?"
moaned Mrs. Estabrook, sinking into
seat. "And we have actually invited
him to tea-a burglar! Well, for .
friend, | thought he seemed very un.
certain about Tom"
II noticed that, too" answered
Maud, with bent brow, recalling a GER
tain unrcadincss of tone and manner
which had struck her rs strange Mt the
time. Mamma" she continued, I'VE
must send Bridget or Maggie over to
the village for help"
No" almost screamed Mrs. Esta-
brook, mot another person must leave
the house! Oh. how could Peter choose
the very day Tom was gone? When
he knows how nervous am, too!-and
to think | told that-that desperate out
there, that there wasn't man abou
the place! Maud Maud! what shall
we do?"
II think | have n plan, mamma"
said Maud, raising her head from her
brown study. "Wat moment" She
flew up stars and down again. Now
come out on the piazza. He mustn't
suspect anything"
THE two ladies joined their I'M
welcomed guest, and Mrs. Estabrook
rusned into fcverish conversation
with him. But her talk was of sing
ularly warlikc kind, turning manly up
on revolvers, and the proficiency at.
tanned in the use of these deadly weap-
ous by Bridget and Maggie, two I'M
sophisticated handmaidens. who in
fact would not have known toy pistol
from Gatling-gun. Maud, in spite
of her tension of anxiety. grew speechs
less with laughter behind her fan as she
listened, furitively watching the stran-
gers face, and noting his just-con-
trolled uneasiness. FINALLY, like one
who takes a resolution. he began alb
ruptly, II really am in very false
position"
"Oh, | beg your pardon. Mr.. Fol-
lott" quickly interposed Maud, fear
ing that, in his rising suspicious, she
would lose her carefully prepared coup.
If you would like to remove any lin
gering dust of travel. you have just
time before tea"
The young man rose at this hint, and
Maud. volunteering to show the way.
accompanied him up the broad stair
case, and smilngly indicated the room
where his knapsack had been left. No
sooner had he stepped within than.
quick as flash, the girl shut the door
and locked il on the outside, where she
had already placed the key. Then she
leaned painting against the wall, and
listened to the movements OF the
trapped burglar.
For few moments there was perfect
silence. rs II he was trying to realize
the meaning of the click of the lock;
then she heard him 60 to the door and
turn the handle, first softly, then louder
and louder. Maud clapped her hands
tightly together, feeling almost hyster.
zeal between laughter and nervousness.
Then the rafting stopped, and voice
said slowly:
bliss Estabrook! Are you still
| therep"
Yes" answered Maud, holding her
breath.
you are not aware that you have
locked me IMP"
Maud hesitated for an instant. But
since the explanation must come, il
might as well come Mt once. Eyes,
she answered. clearly; II did IL inten-
tionally."
"ln-deedr' The blanded accent OF
this word made her feel historical again.
perhaps you would not mind telling
me Dhy you did it?"
because you are burglar. " answer
ed the girl, concisely.
There was an indistinct mutter which
might or might not have been an ex'
pletive. Then, after a silence, the
voice inquired, quite formally. And
might l ask what you mean to do with
me?"
keep you shut up here until my
brother or the gardner comes back; and
I then"
"Yes. and then"
Then" replied Maud. with a sud.
den inspiration. I'VE will let you 60. II
you will go peaceably."
There was sound OF supposed
laughter at this. Then the voice rejoin-